City of Bicycles in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
We love the architectural details in Sander Fennema’s Instagram shots. Sander’s unique perspectives allow us to explore Amsterdam from the street, from the sky, and even from below. Follow the fun at @sfennema.
Place you live: Amsterdam
Place your Instagrams were taken? Amsterdam
Can you sum up Amsterdam? I bet a lot of people can imagine what Amsterdam is like: a relatively cozy city center with middle aged buildings and canals. Add a lot of bikes, tourists (on bikes), and coffee shops and you’re there!
What is a perfect day in Amsterdam? A perfect day in Amsterdam starts on the weekend. We’ll have a slow breakfast while skimming through the Amsterdam newspaper “De Parool.” Afterwards, we head into the city and park our bikes somewhere along the canals and continue on foot. You see a lot more when walking, so it’s great for shooting photos! Most of the time we’ll try a new coffee bar or just stick with the known favorites.
If Amsterdam was a person or character who would it be and why? That’s a hard question! I guess it would be a pretty person, although quite humble. It would take some time to get to know them well and every time you meet them you’ll learn something new.
How long have you been using Instagram? Almost since the beginning, October 2012, if I’m not mistaken.
Do you shoot with your phone or other cameras or both? For Instagram I only use my iPhone. I just love how you can shoot, edit and share photos with the same device! Apart from that, I also use my analog Olympus OM-1 and Nikon D90 from time to time, mostly on special occasions like holidays and trips. The added values in comparison to the iPhone are obvious and the quality is much better, but on a daily basis it’s just so convenient to use your iPhone for taking photos.
What is your editing process? 90% of the time I use Snapseed for basic editing and VSCO for a subtle filter. From time to time I try some new apps, but I always end up using these two.
Do you create images outside of Instagram? Yes, although my OM-1 and D90 photographs never end up on Instagram. The analog pictures are always developed and printed.
Has Instagram/phoneography affected how you shoot? Well, it’s even more than that. It actually made me start shooting. Before Instagram I never really bothered shooting photos. In hindsight it’s too bad because you’ve visited all these beautiful places without capturing them in the way you would do now. Then again, that’s also a nice reason to visit them again.
Can you give a couple tips to aspiring Instagram photographers? First of all look around at Instagram. See what kind of edits you like, what kind of subjects, etc. Then it’s important to engage with other IGers, preferable in real life. See how they do it and what kind of tricks they have. And last but not least, just shoot a lot of pictures and try new things. Filter what you don’t absolutely love and only post your best shots.
Who are your three favorite Instagrammers? Three is way too little of course, but if I had to choose right now: @hirozzzz, @janske, @alexstrohl.
Want more Instagram tips and inspiration? Check out all of our Best of Instagram features here and learn from the masters.
Name:Sander Fennema
City:Amsterdam
Best place to eat:
Best place to drink:
Best outdoor activity:
Cycling (watch out for tourists on bicycles though)!
Must do:
Find places where you can view Amsterdam from above! It’s quite hard but certainly worth it.
Local tip:
Visit the VANMOOF brandstore, a wonderful example of Dutch design. As an industrial design student I really love their approach and the aesthetics of this minimalistic bicycle. If you pay attention, you will see a lot of them riding around.